ORIGIN

Twin Cam Power: Real 1961 Lotus 7

This 1961 Lotus 7 S2 features a potent Lotus twin cam engine rather than the Ford or BMC pushrod engines more often seen in the real Lotus cars. The one has been thoroughly restored, and lightly upgraded, most notably with a strengthened frame. Certainly one could run their own Seven-esque car with any number of kits, but we like the real ones and the colors and drivetrain on this car make it a stand-out. Find it here on eBay in Plymouth, Michigan.

This car carries the familiar British Racing Green on the fenders and nose cone, with polished aluminium gleaming elsewhere. The red leather on the split bench seat and the dashboard look great–but likely are less than comfortable. The bare aluminium inside will quickly sort out the hardcore drivers from the poseurs–or at least the ones silly enough to wear shorts. The lovely–and apparently rare–wooden steering wheel dominates the interior. For somewhat larger drivers, a bolt-on quick-release steering wheel hub might be a worthwhile-addition to aid egress.

A letter from the Lotus Seven Registry is shown in the auction, noting that a Austin 948cc engine was originally fitted to this frame. No matter, the Twin Cam is a worthy upgrade to this lithe sportster. Dual Weber carburetors should help provide the needed grunt to the formidable mill.

This car seems to have been expertly restored–nothing seems out of place, everything looks “right.”. As no specific shop has been referenced in the auction, perhaps this was done in the seller’s garage. No matter the relative simplicity of a Seven versus more challenging cars, if this was indeed done at home, this work is to be applauded.

A well-done Lotus Seven is a bucket list car for many–though unattainable for some simply due to the tight cockpit. It would take a true masochist to make this a long distance tourer, but local rallies and track days should be a treat. –

I think that this is a beautiful car. FULL STOP. But it would not be a legal vintage racer and that is too much fun to miss. The Twin Cam would have to go, as would the tubular locating link attached to the bottom of the diff.

I own a 1963 with the 1500cc Cosworth, and with the “little” well-used motor it is faster on a smooth twisty road than anything else you will come in contact with.

It’s not just faster at Sears or Laguna than the full-tilt TransAm cars and much more fun to drive, it’ll drive around them on either side and disappear down the track. It allows you to get away with all sorts of things as a driver.

@ Elanguy: Here in Ontario, with the VARAC guys, this car is a bitsa. This car would not be VARAC eligible as a S2. $35K for a clean, complete S2 with original frame and correct motor/axle, etc., is achievable, yes- but this is essentially a S7S3 “SS” with an upgraded S2 frame (which itself might well have been replaced in toto over the past five decades).

But it has an SBxxxx serial number and the seller appears not to have mis-described the car, so good luck to him/her when s/he tries another sale. I’d happily have it and give it a regular flogging- but for a considerably lesser price.

Personally, I dont understand why this is not good for driving. It’s not going to rust out, and caterhams are really much safer. If you want modern performance by a modern car like an atom or , or S2000. All vastly superior to any vintage sports car.

The whole point of ol this is the old car driving experience. A well sorted Seven should be no less reliable than any other car of it’s era, and the need to do things like checking the gauges regularly … That’s what makes these thing involving.

Ended at $31,600 reserve not met. I don’t see this as an “aggressive” price, $35+ is a pretty standard ask for these. It’s not a bitsa, Updating these cars is pretty standard fare, this is not a Corvette “numbers matching” crowd, it’s a “race cars for the road” crowd. Relatively few Lotus buyers care a whole lot about original spec and for many, if not most, correct updates are accepted. The updates need to be done right, and S3 frame mods and Twin-cam engine fit that picture. For a nut-case like me or Tony Miller the switch to S2 rear fenders and an axle to fit is probably doable. And yes I would love to see the 1340 under the bonnet. And 3 out of 5 owners at the latest Lotus Owners Gathering preferred steel wheels.

@ Rocko- Entirely correct instrument placement- the (superfluous) speedo and the ammeter on the S2s were installed on the opposite side of the dashboard from the driver, whilst the tach sits right in front of the driver. These cars did not come originally with a fuel gauge (use a dipstick), so the dual Smiths gauge is also incorrect. But being a car sold also as a kit, the original builder could have bolted near-anything into it.

My daily driver is a Birkin w/ no windscreen, 215 HP zetec & a 1200 lb curb weight. Yeeeeeha! Often when I’m driving home I will “miss” the turn onto my street & just keep going. My wife once asked “If that car is so damn fast, why are you always late?”

@Elanguy: I agree 100% with your preferences. I bought a tired but race-prepared 1340 Super Seven in ’69, and owned it for 17 years. The warmed-up Cosworth produced just exactly the amount of power that the chassis and tires wanted; when I put a 1600 short block in it, it was overpowered and spun the tires a lot. I, too, preferred the Triumph rear axle (with suitable reinforcement) and the S2 rear fenders.

…and two Brooklands windscreens are a huge upgrade from the stock windshield!

I’d have to agree the decision should be driving v. collecting. For driving, I’d probably want something like a Caterham or other ‘knockoff.’ But the engine swap doesn’t really diminish the collectibility of this one that much for me. It’s still a mostly genuine 7; but I can see how some might be put off by them.

Polished stainless steel no! Polished aluminum yes! I had one of these back in the 70’s absolutly the best handling car I have ever driven. This car was made for the twisties not freeways. You could drive it for about an hour then your ass would hurt like hell. What’s with the tach or speedo way over on the right? Back in ’62 you could get this in left hand drive. My guess is this car was imported from England after it was built. Which by the way was available as a turn key or a kit.

I had an original 1969 S3 (sb2411) with it’s 1600 cc Ford. With dual Webers it was tested at 145hp. It was equipped with dual Brooklands screens. My wife and myself were caught in a rain storm one time and it was extremely painful. She always reminded me to have my bail money with me when I left for joy rides. It was much quicker than my 26r Elan and my current JPS Europa.

It is disappointing that no one has mentioned the greatest downside to using this car as a daily driver or tourer. I can’t think of a car that is less safe in today’s traffic. All those distracted cell phone addicted drivers in their SUVs would literally crush this car in the event of an impact. Don’t count on the car’s seat belts and roll bar to do much good. I’m not suggesting that this car shouldn’t be driven on the hiway. I’m saying that the driver should be aware of the considerable risk that accompanies the wind in one’s hair.

Well – call me a purist – but because the engine/bodywork was offered in a later car doesn’t make it right – Catherham sure – I’d take mine with a Hayabusa

The post author is correct the Ford and BMC are in “real” LOTUS S1 cars – Potent is a matter of $$$$. This is a hotrod a well liked one obviously – but a hotrod

A Cosworth pushrod ford would be much more cool or a Weslake BMC – the drift ability of the narrow tire model allows controllable hooligan behavior at reasonable speed – of course the above engines are sufficient to push 1300 lbs to take your license away speeds.

Spend any time at any racetrack in the US and take a look at the purpose built sprites – serious power is a matter of looking at the right engine builder –

@Peter: Lotus made 13 original twin-cam Sevens (the “Seven SS”) at the end of Lotus production in 1972; two of them came to the USA (a friend in Colorado owned one of the two; it was tested by R&T in October 1970). These original Lotus 7 twin-cams are the Holy Grail of Sevens.

The assumption that a Seven is not suitable for long-distance touring is a myth that needs to die. First, you have to fit the car — the original Lotus Sevens and the Caterham Series 3 demand a strict weight-control regimen — not a bad thing, come to think of it.

But if you can clear that hurdle, then touring is not only possible, but an absolute blast. (I drove my ’07 Caterham S3 with 250 hp Cosworth Duratec 2.3 on a 6100-mile road trip from Colorado to Alaska in August 2010).

As the road tester in Motor wrote in September 1975, “The Super Seven is not just a sports car, it’s the definitive article.” As true today as it was in 1957, or in 1975. What other car can truthfully make such a claim?

The difference I found between a “real” Seven and a Caterham was the difference between collecting and driving. My Lotus had problems and drawbacks that I didn’t want to put up with. I had dreamed all my life of driving one of these down the West Coast from Seattle to Monterey-and only felt like I would survive it in my current Caterham. And after all-Chapman sold the tooling to Caterham that they started to build the cars on. They’ve just improved them to whatever point you want since then. This seems like a nice car to me, depending on what you are wanting to do with it.

It seems that truly restored sevens (series 2’s) aren’t worth as much as Caterhams and modified sevens, at least in my experience. I suppose folks don’t like the skinny tires and small engines, although their true claim to fame is balance and handling. This is a real Lotus with a later engine substituted- number 151 of approx 1311 built by Lotus (Series 2) according to the Seven register. It needed the Caterham nose to clear the twincam. It’s hard to have a 50 year old car that was often raced and abused on the street or off, that hasn’t been modified some way or another. This didn’teven have seat belt mounts or a crossmember to bolt them to when new. SCCA required frame reinforcements, and anyone wishing to actually drive one should want them, too, IMO. So in many respects this one is much better than new. But you feel like you’re in a movie or a parade when you drive it on the street!

@Lorenzo – I was thinking the same thing. It’d be cool to have a real one sitting on display, as “art”, but for driving around town every sunny day, I’d almost certainly want to go with modern metallurgy and engine management.

@ Chris H. Empty car park with 2in of snow? If you could just find the right back issue of Classic & Sports Car you’d see exactly that, when we took one to Val D’Isere for a shoot. No clearance to fit chains… luckily the Seven is so controllable you mostly cope. I’ll dig out the issue date when I can find an index. Anyway, it is possibly to go ski/touring in a Seven, two-up, though a big flexy cargo net across the back of the roll hoop is a good idea to catch anyhing that falls out.

What is the point of buying an original when you can get twice the performance and refinement for the same money? MNR, Birkin, etc, all seem to have a far superior chassis + you can do the body how you want in a build to be just like this. Ok, maybe if you are into going to historical events I could see that. But otherwise do you really want something that has a “strengthened frame”.

I bought and built an early 90’s Caterham with 1700 Ford cross flow and Merkur 5 speed and after 20 years I still can’t wipe the smile off my face after a drive. It is the last car I sell before I die or can no longer slide in, which ever comes first. I also have experience with original S2 and S3 models so I offer these observations:

-the urge to put in engines with mega HP is overkill although Sprite engined Sevens have their limitations without serious and expensive upgrades

-I am 5′ 8″ about 165 lbs and it is a snug fit in the seat and footwell and mine is the ‘long’ cockpit model. If you are much bigger in any direction a Seven is not for you

-the driving experience is just unbelievable. Acceleration seems almost instantaneous, especially from start, it evens off after 80 or so and then hits the wall aero wise especially with the clam shell type fenders. The cycle front fenders are better. Handling is go kart like, to keep from going to jail I drive 60 on our mountain roads (with 55 mph speed limits) which feels like 80 and rarely have to slow for a curve other than tight blind turns or hairpins

-all the most positive parts of the driving experience or only partially offset by your exposure to the elements. Hot in the summer and cold in the winter, you come up with clothing options which fit the weather after a while and also allow you some room to move like ski clothing

– wind and buffeting is another matter and probably the thing that would discourage most potential buyers. The standard full screen gives your protection from the front but the wind curves around the side and hits you on the side of you face. At speed you find your face almost distorted and it seemed to create a low pressure system which made it hard to breathe. I fitted mine with Brooklands aero screen which I find much better. I would never drive mine with side curtains in place as it looks terrible, better take another car in my opinion

– a leather helmet helps with the wind hurting your ears and some close fitting sunglasses with a strap to keep them in place

– last suggestion, you can drive one every day but just once a while at least take it out on your favorite driving roads and just enjoy it. If you have one and are not driving it please pass it on!

I am now on my third one of these in the last 7 or 8 years. Had an original Lotus, but suspected frame problems and decided I liked driving more than restoring. Bought an ’89 Caterham, but PO had made it more of a track car and it was too low for the street, plus the bench seat is truly AWFUL. Now have a 2001 Caterham crossflow/live axle/5 speed/long cockpit which is like buying a new “old” car. It is the definition of “involved driving” whether in the city or on a country road. More fun than anything else you can buy for $25K. Everyone needs one once in their life. But not only does your ass have to fit in it, your feet do too. Driving shoes or bare feet only.

Also great for selecting girlfriends! If they fit in it, like it, and accept the challenge of a weekend road trip where they only get to take what fits in a small soft bag, then you know you’re found a keeper…..

Most of the comments I was going to spew forth have been covered by Elanguy, and a few others. I used to really want one of these, and I still kind of do. IMHO a twin cam is overkill in this chassis, but as someone once said: “Too much is just about enough.”

Mr Editor, would you please refrain from describing cars such as this one, as being “restored”. This car is not restored. This car is extensively refurbished, modified, updated, hot-rodded, and/or a number of other really cool things, but restored is not among them. Were this car restored, is would be as close as possible or practical to the day it was rolled on the truck at the factory, or off he truck at the dealer. (TC, S3 rear fenders, S3 rear axle, Caterham nose, etc.etc.) I’m not trying to degrade, or denegrate the car, or the listing, just trying to keep the apples with the apples and the oranges with the oranges.

Personally speaking, I prefer the Caterham look on Caterhams, and the Lotus look on Lotuses.. but again, that’s just me. If I were king, I’d probably pull the TC, in favor of an S2 appropriate unit, a 1500 pushrod comes to mind, build a narrow axle, so I could use S2 fenders, and get a Lotus nose. Probably come out even money, or make a few $

I lost 20 lbs in the last year, gettin’ healthy, so I am sure I would fit in it. It would fit like a glove. I think I deserve it as a reward for being good. Now, if I sold the Westie, the Z and the Healey………

As the owner of an 89′ Caterham, I can confirm that these are as much fun as they look. You can tour in them. I drove mine to Watkins Glen from Ontario Canada (1000km weekend). You will experience the purest driving experience and everyone wants to talk to you. You do have to be a bit of a nutter though. Your top half will freeze and your feet will cook and you will need ear protection and your butt better not be too wide. These days we are too coddled by our cars – just buy one, you will not be disappointed.

Looks just lovely. I might prefer it with Series 2 rear fenders (I know he says they are, but….) But I suppose the twin-cam needs the Cortina rear axle which needs the Series 3 rear fenders. And if you don’t like the wind buffeting they are actually more comfortable with Brookland screens, plus they look pretty terrific that way.

There were very few early twin cam cars. I think ten? I doubt that this is one of them. I think the car pre dates the motor here. This may make it ineligible for some vintage events unless it could show provenance as a one off and then it might be eligible as a special.

I would almost rather have the original motor having dealt with enough twin cams Nice road car though!

A very nice car. Restored to a much higher level than my S2. A lot of correct details, certainly- yes, the plywood parcel shelf is factory OEM! And the added safety mod cons appear well done- the seatbelt mounts and the roll bar. Needs the proper ammeter (now near-unobtainable). Also, with the additional power from the TC motor, and running on radials, I’d want to peek around to check whether the frame was gussetted when the skins were off. GLTSB

After owning and driving a number of these over the years, I can safely say they are a hoot to drive and own. But these cars are the type of car you get in and want to drive all day…but after about 1 hour you are looking for an excuse to get out. It is like driving in the middle a tornado. Wind will rip sunglasses off in about a second..hats? don’t even thing about it. If you have a long mustach the tips of it will hit you in the eye…ask me how I know. I am 6 foot tall and do fit one of these ok. I did find, with my last one that came with side screens, use the side screen and then it is so bad. Come to think of it ..maybe I will get another one. My last one used a Suzuki Swift GTi 1300 twin cam 4 valve unit that only weighed 185 pounds. That combo worked well. This car here looks like a good one indeed.

This one makes my face hurt… I cant stop smiling! Great time to buy with winter right around the corner. Park it in the garage mother it to death for the next 4-5 months and by the time your ready to take it out you will be so excited you wont even notice any little issues it might have.

A really nice example. Doesn’t matter who builds them, or how convincing they are, even the good repro Sevens lack something that you can see and feel in an original. Probably aren’t many cars that are as much fun, definitely not any that are more. Buy this and enjoy daily.

This is exactly the same as the car my wife and used at our wedding. The twin cam provides ample thrust for these little cars. A hoot to drive and it’s possible to stuff a fully decked out bride beside you. Who says they’re not practical…